FLOW GUIDE Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon

Glenwood Canyon Flow Guide

0 to 2,000 cfs Low

Very common level during the summer, fall and early spring seasons. Grizzly is mellow (II) though shallow in spots, Shoshone is straightforward (III), and Barrel is mostly dry due to the diversion.

2,000 to 5,000 cfs Medium

Banks starting to fill in. Popular and fun level. Grizzly is deeper and pushier but still manageable by a strong beginner. Shoshone is getting juicy and starting to show a little muscle, especially above 4,000 cfs. Long swims and flipped rafts are possible. Barrel is filled in a pushy. This is the level in which most Barrel descents occur. Class V around 3,000 cfs and up.

5,000 to 10,000 cfs High

Now we’re talking! Only the biggest rocks are still exposed. Grizzly has some surprising waves and powerful currents (III), Shoshone is pushy class IV with some ugly, well-spaced monster holes, and Barrel is top-expert V+.

Above 10,000 cfs Very High

Yee-haw! Monster waves and very strange currents throughout. Only experienced paddlers should attempt even the easy sections. Grizzly is pushy and swirly (III), Shoshone is starting to flush but has gigantic moments and brutal consequences (IV), and Barrel is utterly heinous. How high can it get? In 2011 the river peaked just under 19,000 cfs. In both 1983 and 1984, the two highest water years on record, the river peaked over 20,000 cfs.